Platen press



Aug. 8, 1939. G. A. scr-HEREN PLATEN PRESS Filed Sept. 16, 1937 .'5 Sheets-Sheet l Wim,

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ATTORNEYS All@ 8, 1939- G. A. SCHIEREN 2,168,452

PLATEN PRESS x Filed sept. 16, 1957 5'/ 2 20 Plz-5 *a* 22 Z0 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO RN EYS Allg 8 19394 G. A. scHlEREN 2,168,452

PLATEN PRESS Filed sept. 1e, 1957 s sheets-sheet s Patented Aug. 8, 1939 y Y UNITED STATES PATENT GFFCE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to presses and has particular reference to a novel pressing machine in which the material to be operated on may be continuously fed and subjected to the desired pressure` fora prolonged period of time. The new machine is reliable and efficient in operation and is adapted to exert a heavy pressure evenly and smoothly over the material to be pressed. y

For the purpose of illustration, the press of the present invention will be described in connection with a machine for continuously pressing strips of leather to form beltings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this use, but may be employed to advantage for other purposes as well.

Leather belting as commonly made comprises two strips of leather laid one over the other and cemented together. It is desirable in cementing the strips of leather to subject them to a considerable pressure for a period of time during which the cement is hardening. Heretofore, it has been a common'practice to press strips in a machine comprising a pair of plates, one of which is movable toward the other to effect the desired pressure. In the operation of these machines, a newly cemented belting is first inserted between the pressing plates, the length of the belting being dependent on the size of the machine. The pressing plates are then moved together and held against the belting for a suflicient time interval to enable the cement to harden. The belting is then released and withdrawn from the machine and another length of belting inserted `between the pressing plates. This procedure is objectionable for the reason that it requires considerable time te press a piece of belting of considerable length and also because it requires a number of operations which must be performed manually.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a novel pressing machine in which the belting may be fed continuously and rapidly and subjected to the required pressure for any desired period of time.

A pressing machine made in accordance with the present invention comprises a pair of circuitous tracks having opposed parallel portions, which are preferably straight. A plurality of plates or platens are supported on each track and are connected together end to end to form a continuous chain extending around the outsi-de of the track, whereby the platens at the parallel portions of the tracks are arranged in substantially parallel opposed relation. The two chains of platens are moved continuously around their respective tracks by any suitable driving means associated therewith. The leather belting is fed continuously between the chains of platens at one' end of the parallel portions of the tracks and is carried along between the platens under pressure tothe opposite end of the parallel portions of the tracks. Preferably, one of the tracks for supporting the platens is movable toward the other by a hydraulic press or the like, so that the pressureto which the belting is subjected may be adjusted.

Where the material operated on is to be subjected to a relatively high pressure by the platens, it is necessary to make the platens of a durable and heavy construction to Vwithstand the high pressures. In order to reduce the friction between the heavy chains Vof platens and their respective tracks, I prefer to interpose between the platens and the tracks a plurality of rollers on which the platens move. In the preferred construction, the rollers for each track are connected together in a continuous chain which extends around the outside of the track, each roller having flanged ends which overlap the sides of the track and prevent the roller from running off the track. Each chain of platens is supported by the rollers on the track and is in turn provided with a track section at the bottom thereof which may rest on the rollers between their flanged ends. The chains of platens may be conveniently driven around their respective tracks on the rollers by means of oneor more pinions adapted to mesh Vwith racks on the platens, preferably on the bottom thereof.

It will be apparent that with this construction the belting may be subjected to a heavy pressure distributed uniformly over its surface between the parallel portions of the tracks for the platens, and the pressure may be maintained on the belting for any desired period of time dependent only on the length of the parallel track portions and the speed of the chains of platens. The rollers interposed between the tracks and platens serve to effectively support the platens on the tracks and act as roller bearings to reduce the friction between the platens and tracks.

For a better understandingof the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in whichl Fig. l is a side view of one form of the new pressing machine;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with parts of the machine removed;

Fig. 3 is a detailed plan view of the chain of rollers shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view showing in detail the platens of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detailed plan View of the bottom of the platen shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side view showing in detail part of one chain of platens and the supporting means therefor;

Fig. 7 is a partial section on the line 'I-'I in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the machine there shown comprises a base I of any suitable form and standards II extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base near each end thereof. A cross member I2 extends between each pair of opposed standards I I and is secured to the standards by bolts I3. The cross members I2 are arranged to support a pair of I-beams I4 extending lengthwise with respect to the base II) and disposed in spaced parallel relation. Mounted in the base I 0 is a hydraulic press I5 which supports a vertically movable table I6. The table I6 supports a pair of channel beams I1 which extend parallel to the I-beams I4. A pair of cross members I8 is supported on the channel beams I'I near the opposite ends thereof and in turn support a pair of I-beams I9 disposed directly beneath the I-beams I4 and extending parallel thereto. The two pairs of I-beams I4 and I9 support track and chain mechanisms which are identical in construction, and accordingly the track and chain mechanism on only one pair of the I-beams will be described in detail.

As shown particularly in Figs. l and 6, each of the I-beams I4 and I9 has track sections 2.@ mounted ori the top and bottom thereof extending the entire length of the beam. The track sections 29 are connected together at the ends of the beams by circular track sections 2! suitably mounted on the I-beam, the members 2! and 2l thus forming a continuous track around the I-bearn. A plurality of rollers 22 are mounted on the track 20, 2I and are adapted to roll thereon. As shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 6, each roller 22 is formed with flanged ends 22', and the rollers are connected together in a continuous chain.. The chain comprises H-shaped cages 23 having a roller 22 rotatably mounted between its` legs near each end of the cage. the adjacent cages being connected together by links 241.. The-rollers 22 are sufliciently longv to permit the track sections 20 and 2l to fit between the flanged ends 22 of the rollers. l

Mounted on the chains of rollers 22 on cach I-beam are a plurality of plates or platens 25 arranged end to end in a continuous series. As shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 5, each platen is connected to theadjacent platens by hinges 2'I located on the bottom of the platens near opposite sides thereof. Each platen is formed at one end with a tongue 28 adapted to be received in a groove 29 formed in the adjacent end of the next platen. Accordingly, when the platens are arranged in a straight line, as seen in Fig. 6, the adjacent platens will be fitted together closely by reason of their tongue and groove connections. 0n its bottom, each platen 26 is provided with a pair of track sections 30 (Fig. 5) near opposite sides thereof extending parallel to the I-beams I 4. The ends of each track section 3D project beyond the ends of the platen and are of reduced width, whereby the end of each track section has a close sliding fit with the adjacent end of the next track section. The track sections 3B of the plates are adapted to rest on the rollers 22 between the flanged ends 22' thereof. Spaced inwardly from the opposite sides of each platen 26 are racks 3l extending parallel to the track sections 30.

At opposite sides of the machine near each end of the I-beams I4 are mounted wheels 33 which are rotatable on an axle 34 journaled in the frame of the machine. As shown particularly in Figs. 6 and '7, each wheel 33 engages the hinges 2'I on one side of the platens 26 in that part of the chain opposite the curved section 2I of the track. The wheels 33 are positioned to engage the hinges of the platens as they move around the curved track section and force the platens outwardly so as to maintain the platen chains in tension.

The continuous chain of platens 26 is adapted to be driven around the tracks 20, 2I on the rollers 22 by means of a driving pinion 36 disposed at each side of the machine and meshing with the racks 3| on the platens. The pinions 36 may be driven from any suitable power source, not shown. In order to prevent sagging of the chain of platens beneath the I-beam I 4, a plurality of idler rollers 3'I are provided which engage the outer faces of the platens so as to hold the track sections 3G against the rollers. The rollers 3'! are mounted on each side of the machine on a longitudinal bracket 31 which is carried by a bracket 38 mounted on one of the standards II.

In operation, the chains of platens on the I- beams I4 and I9 are driven continuously at any desired speed so that the straight, adjacent portions of the chains of platens between the two sets of I-beams travel in the same direction, as for example, from right to left as seen in Fig. 1. The leather belting is then fed continuously in strip form between the chains of platens from the right end of the machine. The moving chains of platens draw the belting through the machine and deliver it at the left hand end thereof, the time during which the platens act upon the belting being fixed by the speed of the chains of platens and the length of the track sections 2. The belting may be subjected to any desired pressure by adjusting the hydraulic press I which moves the lower set of I-beams I9 vertically with respect to the upper set of I-beams I4, so as to adjust the spacing between the adjacent straight portions of the chains of platens 26.

While I have specifically described and illustrated only one form of the new press, it will be understood that the structure shown may be modified in various respects within the scope of the invention. For example, the construction of the platens 26 may be simplied somewhat by eliminating the hinges 2'I and inserting hinge pins through the overlapping portions of the track section 39 on the platens.

I claim:

l. A press comprising a pair of circuitous tracks having opposite parallel portions, a plurality of rollers connected together in a chain extending lengthwise around each track, each roller of the chain having flanged ends overlapping the sides of the track in closely spaced relation thereto, a continuous chain of platens extending lengthwise around each track outside of said first chain, each platen having a narrow rack aligned with the racks on the adjacent platens and the platens at said parallel portions of the tracks being in substantially parallel opposed relation, and gears engageable with the racks for moving said chains of platens around the tracks on their respective rollers, each platen also having a track section adapted to engage the rollers on the corresponding track between the flanged ends of the rollers and of a width equal substantially to the distance between said flanged ends, whereby the flanged ends of the rollers locate the rollers on the track and locate said track sections on the rollers and vthereby maintain said racks in alignment with their respective gears.

2. A press comprising a pair of circuitous tracks having opposed parallel portions, each track including two substantially straight parallel sections connected at corresponding ends by a curved section, a plurality of rollers mounted on each track and connected together in a continuous chain extending lengthwise around the track, a continuous chain of platens extending around each track outside said first chain and supported on the rollers thereof, the adjacent platens of said chain being connected by hinges, means for moving the chains of platens around the tracks on their respective rollers, and a rotatable member disposed near at least one of said curved sections and engageable with said hinges of the platen chain of the corresponding track to force the chain outwardly away from the chain of rollers as the chain of platens moves around said curved section.

3. A press comprising a pair of circuitous tracks having opposed parallel portions, each track including two substantially straight parallel sections connected at corresponding ends by a curved section, a plurality of rollers mounted on each track and connected together in a continuous chain extending lengthwise around the track, each roller having flanged ends overlapping the sides of the track, a series of platens arranged end to end around each track and each having a smooth track section on the bottom thereof engageable with the rollers between the flanged ends thereof and of a width equal substantially to the distance between said flanged ends, hinges connecting adjacent platens, means for moving the chains of platens around the tracks on their respective rollers, and a rotatable member disposed in at least one of said curved sections and engageable with said hinges lto force said track sections of the platens outwardly from between the anged ends of the rollers as the chain of platens moves around said curved section.

4. In a press, the combination of a pair of continuous chains of platens, each chain comprising a plurality of platens arranged end to end, a hinged connection.k between adjacent platens, and a track section on the bottom of each platen having end portions lapping the track sections on the adjacent platens and slidable relative thereto, a plurality of rollers supporting each chain and engageable with said track sections on the platens, said rollers supporting the chains with lengths thereof disposed in substantially parallel opposed relation, and means for moving the chains along the rollers.

5. In a press, the combination of a pair of I-beams disposed one above the other in spaced, substantially parallel relation, a track section on the top and bottom of each beam, a rounded track connecting the adjacent ends of the track sections on each beam, a plurality of rollers connected in a continuous chain extending lengthwise around each beam, said rollers being seated on the track sections of the beam and having ilanged ends overlapping the sides of the track sections in closely spaced relation thereto, a plurality of platens pivotally connected in a continuous chain extending lengthwise around each beam, each platen having a narrow rack aligned with the racks on the adjacent platens, and gears engageable with the racks of eachychain of platens for moving said chains of platens around the beams on their respective rollers, each platen also having a track part on the bottom thereof engageable with the corresponding rollers between the end flanges thereof and of a width equal substantially to the distance between said flanged ends, whereby the flanged ends of the rollers locate the rollers on said track sections and locate said track parts on the rollers and thereby maintain the racks in alignment with their respective gears.

G. ARTHUR SCHIEREN. 

